Day

This girl is lying to my face. It's either that or she sounds this fake all of the time, but based on the current situation, I'm thinking it's the earlier. I'm asking her questions to try to figure out if we've met before, and each one is answered with what sounds like a recorded message that's been rehearsed again and again. Some replies don't even relate to what I asked.

"Did you grow up around here?"

"Yes, I went to the academy here where I was trained for the military. My entire life has revolved around me working for the Republic."

"Did you used to work in a hospital?"

"No, that's Tess's profession, not mine."

"Tell me again, how did you and Tess meet?"

"Oh, during the war I was injured and she was my nurse. We ended up becoming friends."

June's simple and straightforward answers are starting to bother me. Luckily, before I have the chance to become frustrated, we arrive at Tess's. The entrance to her cozy apartment is similar to ours except she has painted her front door a bold red. It's been too long since I've seen her in person, and I'm not prepared to what I am going to face. I knock three times and take a few steps back, and the turning handle is the last thing that I see before the wind is knocked out of me and I'm stumbling backwards.

"Day! Oh, I've missed you so much!" I look down to see a slim but muscular girl hugging my torso. As she finally releases her grip, allowing me to breathe, I look at Tess for the first time in the past ten years. Her light red hair is knotted in some sort of side braid and her dark doe eyes are just as I remembered. She'd grown taller, her head resting just below my chin. With a laugh like a wind chime, she beckons June and I inside. "Come on in! Dinner is getting cold!"

I gesture for June to go in first and see that she's glaring daggers at Tess. I'm about to ask if everything is alright when I realize the company of many other people in the room. There are two men sitting over on a couch having a quiet conversation that seems to stop once their eyes fall on me. Tess notices the silence and perks up instantly.

"Let me introduce you all," she says. "This is Day-"

"Daniel," I try to correct her, but she ignores me.

Tess continues, "He just returned from Antarctica due to his brother, Eden, applying for a new job. Speaking of Eden, where is he?"

"He dropped off his books at our place," I explain. "He'll be here in ten minutes at the most."

"Great!" Tess squeals. Her excitement at our return is overwhelming but comforting at the same time. It's nice to be missed. "So, Day, this is Pasco and Tyler. They're friends with June and I and I'm sure that you'll get along with them just fine! So if you'd like to sit down with them, I'll set the table and when Eden gets here we'll start!"

June walks over to take a seat next to Pasco and Tyler, and I feel awkward left standing by myself. I choose to walk over to look at the pictures hanging on the wall to my right. There are photos of Tess and her many friends, a picture of her painting a wall in her apartment, and also a picture of her and June standing on the shore of a lake, bent over in laughter. I look closer at June, and notice how each detail is drawing up some sort of memory. The dimples raised high on her cheeks, her toned arms; even the way she's holding herself seems utterly familiar.

"You're one to pay close attention to detail."

I nearly jump out of my skin, turning to see the man who was introduced as Pasco standing beside me. He has dark hair and stubble lining his face. Pasco's clear blue eyes also seem to spark some idea. He shakes his head and smirks. "Or maybe you're a pervert who wants to get a closer look at June?"

"Oh, no I swear," I reassure him, turning away from the photos. "She just reminds me of someone I know."

"Who?" he asks.

I sigh. "That's the thing. I don't know."

"Well," Pasco says, clapping me on the back, "instead of fretting over some misplaced memories, why don't you come take a seat at the table? Eden's arrived, it's time to eat."

I follow him to the dining table and take a seat in between Tess and Eden, June seated directly across from me. Dinner is chicken parmesan which looks slightly burnt, but I wasn't invited to critic the food. There's a fresh salad mixed with tomatoes as well, but before we have a chance to dig into the food Tess raises her glass of wine, an action in which the rest of us instantly mimic. "To the birthday girl!" she chants.

My eyes dart to June and we exchange a small glance before she quickly looks away.

"To the birthday girl."

. . .

A/N: I apologize for not updating for so long! Volleyball has been hectic but hey, we have a 2-0 season so far! I'm going to try to write some more because my friend recently finished Champion! But yes I hope you enjoyed, sorry if Day came off as a little stalkerish in this chapter lol. But I hope you guys like it!

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